# NTSB FTW93LA225: Stinson 108-3, N4021C, Osceola, AR, August 1, 1993

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: August 1, 1993, 13:00 local (18:00 UTC)
- Place: Osceola, AR
- Coordinates: 35.699508, -89.990661 (estimated)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=35.6995&lon=-89.9907&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report September 13, 1994
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 18804
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=FTW93LA225
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/18804/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/FTW93LA225

## Probable cause

INADVERTENT STALL. FACTORS WERE THE IMPROPER LATCHING  OF THE ENGINE COWLING BY THE PILOT AND HIS INADEQUATE  PREFLIGHT INSPECTION.

## Sequence of events

In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf).

- Loss of control - in flight, maneuvering - turn to landing area (emergency)
  - engine compartment - not secured (contributing factor)
  - aircraft preflight - inadequate, pilot in command (contributing factor)
  - precautionary landing - attempted, pilot in command
  - stall - inadvertent, pilot in command (cause)
- In flight collision with terrain/water, descent - uncontrolled

## Analysis

DURING THE TAKEOFF INITIAL CLIMB, THE RIGHT HALF OF  THE ENGINE COWLING CAME LOOSE. THE PILOT STATED TO  THE INVESTIGATOR IN CHARGE THAT HE IMPROPERLY LATCHED  THE COWLING ON THE PREFLIGHT. A TURN WAS INITIATED  TOWARD THE AIRPORT AND ON A 45 DEGREE ANGLE TO THE  RUNWAY THE AIRPLANE STALLED AND IMPACTED THE TERRAIN  SHORT OF THE RUNWAY.

## Factual narrative

On August 1, 1993, at approximately 1300 central daylight time, a Stinson 108-3 airplane, N4021C, sustained substantial damage near Osceola, Arkansas, during approach.  The private pilot and passenger were not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed for the personal cross country flight.

The Pilot/Operator report submitted to the Safety Board and a personal interview conducted by the investigator in charge revealed the following information.  During a cross country flight a routine refueling stop was made at Osceola, Arkansas. As the air speed increased during the initial takeoff climb, the right half of the engine cowling came loose.  The pilot observed the engine cowling chaffing against the windshield plexiglass.  A 180 degree turn toward the airport was initiated by the pilot.  During the approach, the airplane stalled and impacted the terrain short of the runway.  The pilot stated that he had checked and filled the engine oil and had improperly latched the cowling during the preflight.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N4021C](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N4021C-2012-10-03), registration cancelled 2012-10-03, S/N 108-5021, built 1948 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: STINSON 108-3
- Registry model: [Stinson 108-3](https://openairdocs.org/model/stinson-108-3) (registry code 9230408) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Franklin 6A4165 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/franklin-6a4165-series) (registry code 27025, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Airplane
- Serial number: 108-5021
- Airframe hours: 1260
- Engines: FRANKLIN GA4-165-B3 165 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Substantial damage
- Flight: Personal, Part 91
- Registered owner: Wissman, John C.
- Airworthiness certificate: Standard, Normal
- Last inspection: Annual, October 30, 1992, 100 hours before
- Airport: 7M4, Osceola Municipal, runway 18, 3,800 × 40 ft, asphalt

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 22; private; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 2, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; flight hours: 155 total, 150 in this make and model, 155 as pilot in command

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Visibility: 10 statute miles
- Lowest ceiling: none
- Temperature: 95 °F

## FAA reports on this event (1)

The FAA's own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date (OpenAirDocs).

- [Accident 19930801027089A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19930801027089A), Aug 1, 1993: Univar 1083, Osceola, AR, Substantial damage. Right side cowling came loose on climbout. Stalled turning back. Impacted short of runway. Cowl improper latched.

From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported serial number, make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model.

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